Lithic artifact replicas represent a threat to the scientific study of regional artifact collections. Elimination of their potentially negative effect on the validity of the data resulting from these studies requires effective artifact authentication analysis. Artifact surface alterations and authigenic deposits that have resulted from post-depositional pedological processes can serve as a basis for these analyses. These surface conditions include erosion, gloss, desert vanish, stain, bleach, corrosion, encrustation, and mineral deposits. A combination of these surface conditions is strong evidence of antiquity, and coupled with the absence of evidence of modern manufacturing, provides a sound basis for authentication.
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